Why NAFDAC destroyed seized fake drugs worth N100trn –Prof. Adeyeye

*Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, Director-General of Nigeria’s National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, discloses the health sector regulator had seized 100 containers of such harmful products valued at N100 trillion, warning against harmful effects of fake medicines on consumers’ well-being

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

In safeguarding the health of Nigerians, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has said it destroyed fake, substandard, and falsified drugs seized during a recent sting operations in Onitsha, in Anambra State, and Aba, in Abia State, South-East region.

ConsumerConnect gathered NAFDAC disclosed it destroyed the confiscated unwholesome pharmaceutical products Friday, at the Anambra State Waste Management Agency’s dump site, in Awka, the state capital, in accordance with standard disposal procedures.

Speaking during the exercise, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, Director-General of NAFDAC, at the destruction site, disclosed the health sector regulatory agency had seized 100 containers of such harmful products valued at N100 trillion.

Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, Director-General of NAFDAC

Represented by Dr. Martin Iluyomade, Director of Southeast Zonal Operations at NAFDAC, she said the sheer quantity of banned psychoactive drugs uncovered could destabilise an entire country, agency report said.

On dangers of fake medicines

The Director-General of  NAFDAC also noted the agency realised the time had come to permanently end the circulation of falsified and substandard pharmaceutical products in Nigeria.

Fake medicines lead to treatment failures, causing preventable deaths and severe economic losses, especially for vulnerable patients who rely on these drugs.

Adeyeye stated: “Medicines are not a matter of choice but necessity.

“We cannot quantify how many lives have been lost due to fake or substandard products.”

She further said: “We found medicines meant for pregnant women, which require cold storage, kept in oven-hot conditions—no wonder Nigeria faces high childbirth mortality rates.

“It is disheartening that banned drugs with harmful effects, including unapproved medicines like tramadol and psychoactive substances, are still in circulation.”

The NAFDAC Chief Executive said although the one-month operation, which saw markets closed, had ended, enforcement would continue until fake drugs are eliminated in the country.

Stakeholders’ collaborations against counterfeit medicines

Adeyeye affirmed NAFDAC’s commitment to ensuring medicines are safe, effective, certified, and suitable for use by the general public, report said.

Prof. Adeyeye noted: “We thank the Federal Government, State Government, security agencies, and the media for their support and cooperation during this successful operation.”

In his remarks at the exercise, Mr. Mike Ozoemena, representing the Anambra State Government, commended NAFDAC for its efforts at eliminating fake pharmaceutical products from the state, and the entire country.

Ozoemena, who is Managing Director of Anambra State Waste Management Agency, said Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s administration would support all efforts aimed at protecting public health.

Officers and Men of the Nigerian Army, Department of State Services, and other security agencies to ensure transparency and accountability witnessed the exercise, according to report.

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